MMORPG.com:

Not too long ago, the industry was shaken by the semi-surprise “delay” of Imperator Online – a game the superficially seemed to be similar to your own. Some cynics have suggested that a non-licensed, non-fantasy MMORPG will never have the mass market appeal in North America necessary to be a smash hit. Does this concern you with Fallen Earth and what steps will you take to ensure it is friendly to the average player?

James Hettinger:

When we first decided to make an MMO we thought long and hard about what kind of game we wanted. There are certainly great strengths in basing a game on established intellectual property. It certainly helps when consumers are aware of the product and are excited by the universe. On the flip side, it often restricts what you can do with the brand and limits much of the gameplay that will go into the product. We just felt the best way to make a really incredible game was to have no preconceptions and no limits.